Sports pocket for wearing apparel

ABSTRACT

A sports pocket to fit inside an existing pocket of trousers, or skirts, adapted to be held in place at the waistband by the usual belt extending through belt loops on the sports pocket, or having an upper portion folded over the waistband and secured by a selfadhering fastener, or a zipper, or snap-fasteners and in either form having a turned over flap which overlies the outside upper edge of the trouser pocket and helps to retain the sports pocket in place. The exposed turned over flap portion and the exposed portion adjacent the entrance to the sports pocket, as well as that portion containing the belt loops, and the loops, are made of the same material and color as the trousers, or slacks, or these portions can be made from materials of contrasting color, or different fabrics such as to impart a casual or sports look to the trousers.

nite States Patent Bergsten et al.

[ Dec. 11, 1973 SPORTS POCKET FOR WEARING APPAREL [76] Inventors: Mary E. Bergsten; Ralph A.

Bergsten, both of PO. Box 607, Green Valley, Ariz. 85614 [22] Filed: Sept. 1, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 285,760

[52] 11.8. C1. 2/247, 2/250 [51] Int. Cl A41d 27/20 [58] Field of Search 2/247, 251, 253, 2/160, 250; 224/5 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,101,482 8/1963 Rahjes 2/247 2,866,205 12/1958 Croxton 2/247 2,825,068 3/1958 Montgomery 2/247 3,409,912 11/1968 Hyman 2/253 3,371,829 3/1968 Phillips 2/250 Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson Att0rneyR0bcrt C. Brown, Jr. et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A sports pocket to fit inside an existing pocket of trousers, or skirts, adapted to be held in place at the waistband by the usual belt extending through belt loops on the sports pocket, or having an upper portion folded over the waistband and secured by a self-adhering fastener, or a zipper, or snap-fasteners and in either form having a turned over flap which overlies the outside upper edge of the trouser pocket and helps to retain the sports pocket in place. The exposed turned over flap portion and the exposed portion adjacent the entrance to the sports pocket, as well as that portion containing the belt loops, and the loops, are made of the same material and color as the trousers, or slacks, or these portions can be made from materials of contrasting color, or different fabrics such as to impart a casual or sports look to the trousers.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUEC 1 1 1915 3777313 SHEET 10F 2 PATENTEDUEc 1 1 1975 SHEET 2 OF 2 sir/r313 1 SPORTS POCKET FOR WEARING APPAREL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, edge protectors for trousers pockets have been proposed but these have not included provision for securing such auxiliary'pieces by means of belt loops and material matching the associated trousers to provide an inconspicuous, easily attached sports pocket as provided herein. The prior arrangements did not contemplate attachment to new or existing trousers by means of normal size belt loops but utilized means of more conspicuous appearance and lacked the smart appearance of the present design. Concealed auxiliary pockets for wear at the inner side of trousers have been proposed but these pocket arrangements did not fit into existing trouser pockets and were not accessible from the normal outside pocket position. None of the prior auxiliary pocket arrangements discloses a pocket flap folded over the outside edge of the pocket and allowed to remain freeas in the present sports pocket. Some prior designs utilized fasteners for the removable pockets which were clearly visible when the added pockets were removed. A number of these earlier arrangements were designed primarily for use with work trousers and entirely lacking in the smart appearance afforded by the present design, and of these, many were not auxiliary pockets at all, but merely protectors to be secured around the pocket opening with no thought to protection from anything except that resulting from wear. It is not apparent from any of these previous designs that any consideration has been given to appearance of the trousers with which these devices were used, either when disposed in place on the trousers, or.when the auxiliary pieces are removed. No thought was indicated as having been given to protecting the trousers or slacks from soil as well as from wear without detracting from the appearance of the trousers, which had to be specially equipped to mount the auxiliary pieces, or to installation or removal thereof, either while the trousers are being worn or with them removed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of this invention to'provide a sports pocket to fit an existing pocket of a pair of trousers or slacks, or a skirt or the like, adapted to fit either right hand or left hand pockets or either hip pocket.

It is also an important object of the invention to provide a sports pocket which fits inside an existing pocket that protects the entrance area of the existing pocket and the outside edge thereof from soil and wear.

It is an oher object of the invention to provide a f the trousers.

sports pocket to fit inside an existing trousers pocket 7 and secured in place by a portion having normal size belt loops thereon through which a supporting belt passes.

Another object of the invention is. the provision of a sports pocket adapted to fit inside an existing trousers pocket and having an integral flap folded over the outside edge of the trouser pocket which is allowed to remain free whereby the flap may be tucked into the pocket if it is preferred that it not be exposed to view.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a sports pocket for insertion into an existing trousers pocket and having an extended portion adapted to be folded over the waistband of the trousers and secured by a self adhering fastener or other type of positive-fastener.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a sports pocket fitting into the existing pocket of trousers or slacks and which is made from the same material and color as the trousers or slacks, so that it blends and appears to bean integral part of the trousers or slacks, for a dress appearance, or which can be made from contrasting fabrics or colors to obtain a sports or casual appearance.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sports pocket fitting inside the existing pocket of trousers or slacks and which is easily removable, with or without its contents, from the trousers or slccks while being worn, or while they are off, and readily transferred to another pair of slacks or trousers, or placed aside for easy installation again on the next occasion when required.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a sports pocket fitting within an existing trousers pocket and having a smaller inside pocket adapted to separate and carry coins or small articles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained by the sports pocket arrangement and installation illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a general front elevational view of a pair of trousers with a sports pocket in accordance with this invention installed in one of the pockets;

FIG. 2 is a general front elevational view of the sports pocket of FIG. 1 shown removed from the trousers;

FIG. 3 is a vertical. sectional view through the trousers of FIG. 1 with the sports pocket therein, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a general front elevational view of a pair of trousers with a sports pocket of modified form installed in one of the pockets;

FIG. 5 is a general front elevational view of the type of sports pocket indicated in FIG. 4 but shown removed from the usual pocket of the trousers; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4, showing the sports pocket installed in the trouser pocker and extending over the'waistband of SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This sport's pocket, for installation into an existing pocket of a pair of slacks, or trousers, or a skirt, or the like, is designed to be supported in the garment independently of any support obtained from the garment pocket and which is proposed to be made from the same material as the garment with: which it is worn, to obtain an integrated appearance avoiding any semblance of an added piece or auxiliary pocket. However, it is contemplated that *contrasting fabrics, or colors, may be utilized for the sports pocket, to provide a casual or sports appearance to the garment with which it is worn and thereby affording a design detail distinguishing the garment. The sports pocket ordinarily employs normal size belt loops matching those of the garment with which worn to support the sports pocket in place, but an alternative means of supporting the sports pocket may be utilized in the form of a fold-over portion which overlies the waistband of the garment and is secured by a self adhering fastener at the inner side of the waistband. The sports pocket protects the entrance portion of the trouser pocket against soil and wear and is provided with a flap folded over the outside edge of the trouser pocket which similarly protects that portion and affords a style feature while helping to position and retain the sports pocket in the trouser pocket. This flap may be tucked into the pocket so that it doest show if at any time it may be preferred not to use this feature as a style item. A small inner pocket is provided inside the sports pocket which may be used for small change or small pocket items. The sports pocket can be made in any size to fit any pocket design for the usual trousers or slacks.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT One form of the sports pocket is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and as best shown in FIG. 2 this pocket is separate from the usual pocket built into the trousers and is adapted to be inserted into an existing pocket as indicated in FIG. 1. The sports pocket includes a pocket portion 11, fabricated from muslin, folded along the edge 12 to provide a rear or inside wall 13(see FIG. 3) and an outside wall 14 which are secured together along edges 15 and 16 by stitching 17. A small inside pocket 18 is secured to the inner face of outside wall 14 on three sides by stitching also, with the top side remaining open to provide access thereto from inside the pocket for coins or other small objects.

The pocket portion 11 is designed to be readily inserted into an existing pocket 19 of a-pair of trousers or slacks 20, as indicated in FIG. 1, where one sports pocket is shown as installed in one of the trouser pockets but sports pockets may be installed in both trousers pocket if desired. The sports pockets 11 may be made in right hand and left hand forms for this purpose and while the sports pockets are illustrated as applied in the side or front pockets of the trousers the sports pockets may also be installed in one or both pockets of the trousers if desired.

The trousers 20, as shown in FIG. 1, are of the type to be supproted in the usual way by a belt 21 and for this purpose belt loops 22 are provided at spaced intervals around the waistband area 23 through which the belt is adapted to be inserted in the normal way. To hold the sports pocket 11 properly in position in the trouser pocket 19 the sports pocket is provided with an upwardly extending supporting and wear or soil protecting poriton 24 which, as best shown in FIG.- 3, is secured to the interior pocket side of the rear wall 13 of the sports pocket. The portion 24 overlies the entrance area to the trouser pocket 19 to save that area from wear and soil and the top edge of this upward extension is disposed flush with the edge of the trouser waistband 23.

The protective panel area 24'preferable is made from the same material and of the same color as the material and color of the trousers but it is contemplated that this portion may be made of a different material and of a different color, possibly contrasting with that of the trouser material, for a sporting effect, or haivng a pattern for a colorful effect. Belt loops 25 are provided on the panel 24 adjacent to the upper edge thereof for alignment with the belt loops 22 on the trousers 20 so that when the belt 21 is passed through the sports pocket belt loops and continued through the trousers loops 22 and assuming that the material of the panel 24 is the same as that of the trousers 20 and the same color, the effect achieved is to render the sports pocket quite inconspicuous as though it were an integral part of the trouser design.

The panel portion 24 of the sports pocket 1 l protects the entrance to the trousers pocket from soil as well as wear resulting from inserting objects into the pockets such as golf balls, tees and other items'a sportsman might be inclined to carry with him during sports activities. While the panel 24 protects the inner side of the trousers pocket entrance provision is also made for protecting the outside edge of the trousers pocket 19 from wear and soil just as effectively as the panel 24 protects the inner side. A flap 26 on the sports pocket overlies the outside edge of the trousers pocket, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, hanging free over this area of the pocket 19 to protect this area and also to position and help support the outer side of the sports pocket in the pocket 19.

The pocket flap 26 may also be of the same color and fabricated from the same material as the trousers 20 or the flap might be made of a different material and of a different color both from those of the trousers as well as of the panel portion 24 thus providing a dress appearance or achieve a very sporting look to the trousers or slacks with which it is used. The flap 26, as shown in FIG. 3, folds over the outer edge of the trouser pocket and is secured to the inside face of the sports pocket outer wall 14 preferably by stitching. The flap therefore is located in a position where it might be tucked into the trousers pocket 19 if the wearer prefers that the flap not hand free on the outside face of the pocket 19.

MODIFIED EMBODIMENT The form of the sports pocket illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 differs from that described, in that is is designed for use with beltless trousers or slacks and tehrefore does not have any belt loops. The sports pocket 30 is of generally similar construction to that of the pocket 11. The pocket portion 31 is fabricated from a suitable grade of muslin, or if heavy duty service is contemplated, an appropriate grade of cotton duck might be utilized. The pocket portion 31 is folded at the edge 32 to provide the two sides of the pocket including the rear or inner side wall 33, as shown in FIG. 6, and an outer side wall 34 which are continuously stitched together along the remaining two sides 35 and 36 as at 37, with the upper side being left open. The pocket 30 similarly is provided with a smaller inside coin pocket 38 that is stitched to the inner side face of outside pocket wall 34 on three sides with the top left open for access from the inside of pocket 30.

This pocket too is designed to be inserted in the existing pocket of a pair of trousers or slacks, as best shown in FIG. 4, where but one sports pocket is illustrated as being installed in one pocket 39 of the trouser 40. However, the sports pocket is adapted for manufacture in right hand as well as left hand forms and therfore may be installed in both of the front or side pockets of the trousers and may be provided also for installation in one or the other or both hip pockets of the trousers if the wearer so desires.

The trousers 40 in this form are shown as being of that style where they are fitted to be used without a belt(see FIG. 4) and the sports pocket therefore differs from the previously described form of sports pocket in that no belt loops are included for positioning and supporting it in the trousers pocket. A free hanging flap 46 is included on this sports pocket to overlie the outer edge of the existing pocket 39 and protect this area from wear and soil just as in the previously described sports pocket design. This flap 46 helps to position and support the sports pocket 30 in he trousers pocket 39 and like the flap 26 may be of the same color and fabricated from the same material as the trousers 40 or the free hanging flap may be of different color and material to provide either a dressy effect or a sporting look as desired. The free hanging flap 46 is folded over the edge of the pocket 39 and overlies the outside face of the pocket or, if the wearer desires, can be tucked into the trousers pocket so that it is not exposed to view. The flap 46 is secured to the inside pocket face of the outer pocket wall 34 preferably by stitching (see FIG. 6).

Since this sports pocket is not secured by belt loops the upwardly extending panel portion 44 is continued upwardly and folded over the waistband 43 of the trousers 40 where it is extended downwardly inside the trousers as at 42, as best seen in FIG. 6. Due to the snug fitting waistband of this type of trousers around the waist of the wearer, this inside folded over portion 42 may be sufficient to hold the sports pocket 30 properly positioned within the trousers pocket 39 but a suitable fastening may be provided for the depending folded portion 42 where a more positive attachment may be desired. As shown,- a self adhering type of fastening 45 may be secured on the inner face of the portion 42 for adherence to a complemental member 41 secured on the inside face of the waistband 43. When pressed together the member 41 and 45 securely hold the member 42 attached to the waistband 43 but may be separated for removal of the sports pocket from the trousers and utilized again when the sports poeket may be reinserted into the pocket 39. Other types of fasteners may be used, if preferred, such as a zipper, snap fasteners or the like. I

As best shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 3 and 6, it will be seen that the trousers material 27 and 47 of the respective trousers and 40 islapped over the respective outer side walls 19 and 39 of the pocket elements 11 and 30. The pockets 11 and 30 are secured by stitching to these lapped over portions thereby to support the outer wall of the pocket in the trousers. The inside wall of each pocket is stitched to the trousers material adjacent to the waistband area of each pair of trousers, also as best shown in the sectional views of FIGS. 3 and 6.

Thus, it will be seen that this sports pocket arrangement includes provision for attachment and support in an existing trousers pocket by means of a panel overlying an entrance portion of the existing pocket which thereby protects the entrance portion from wear and soil with the panel secured in place by means of a portion folded over the inner side of the trouser waistband or by means of belt loops receiving a belt supporting the trousers. Positive fastening means are provided for securing the foldover portion which is releasable and reusable so that the sports pocket preferably isfabricated in materials matching that of the trousers or slacks with which it is used and may be included with new slacks sold from stock, or it may be manufactured as a separate article to be sold for use in existing trousers or slacks. The sports pocket is contemplated also in contrasting materials or colors and/or patterns whereby. a user of a plurality of such pockets has a choice of dress styles or sporting .styles. The sports pocket in either dress styles or sporting styles is provided with an inside small pocket to receive small items carried by the wearer such as coins, folded paper money, cards or any small item that would fit within a pocket of this type and which the user wishes to keep immediately available for quick access.

It will also be noted that with the sports pocket being readily removable from the garment with which it is used, it may be separately cleaned and reused, thereby saving considerably on cleaning bills for the garment itself.

The embodiments of this invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

I l. A sports pocket to fit inside an existing pocket of a garment, said sports pocket having means adjacent to the waistband of said garment supporting the sports pocket on the garment, said means including a portion of the sports pocket overlying an exposed entrance surface leasing into the existing garment pocket, the major portion of said sports pocket being disposed within the existing pocket of said garment, a flap portion on said sports pocket overlying the outside free edge of the existing pocket adapted to hang free over the outside surface of the existing pocket, said portion of the sports pocket overlying said exposed entrance surface leading into the existing pocket protecting said surface against wear and soil and said flap portion protecting said free edge and said outside surface of the existing pocket from wear and soil, said means adjacent to said waistband supporting the sports pocket comprising a foldover portion of the sports pocket engaged over said waistband, and attaching means provided on said foldover portion cooperatively engaging means at the inner side of said waistband to secure said fold-over portion, said attaching means on said fold-over portion comprising a-self-adhering member secured on said fold-over portion and engaging the inner side of said waistband to secure the fold-over portion thereto.

2. A sports pocket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said portion of the sports pocket overlying the exposed entrance surface of said existing pocket and said flap portion are of the same material and color as said garment.

3. A sports pocket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sports pocket fitted inside an existing garment pocket is provided with a relatively small pocket at an inner side of the sports pocket.

4. A sports pocket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said portion of the sports pocket overlying said exposed entrance surface and said flap portion verlying the outside free edge of the existing pocket are made from different material than said garment and of a different color therefrom.

5. A sports pocket to fit inside an existing pocket of a garment having a waistband, said sports pocket having one portion thereof being disposed within the exist ing pocket of said garment, and a support portion extending upwardly and then folded over the waistband of said garment, said sports pocket also including a flap portion overlying the outside free edge of the existing pocket adapted to hang free over said outside free edge, thereby protecting said free edge and the outside surface of the existing pocket from wear and soil, and fastening means on the inner side of said waistband cooperating with fastening means on the folded over portion of the support portion of said sports pocket for detachably connecting the sports pocket to said garment and firmly holding it in place during use. 

1. A sports pocket to fit inside an existing pocket of a garment, said sports pocket having means adjacent to the waistband of said garment supporting the sports pocket on the garment, said means including a portion of the sports pocket overlying an exposed entrance surface leasing into the existing garment pocket, the major portion of said sports pocket being disposed within the existing pocket of said garment, a flap portion on said sports pocket overlying the outside free edge of the existing pocket adapted to hang free over the outside surface of the existing pocket, said portion of the sports pocket overlying said exposed entrance surface leading into the existing pocket protecting said surface against wear and soil and said flap portion protecting said free edge and said outside surface of the existing pocket from wear and soil, said means adjacent to said waistbaNd supporting the sports pocket comprising a foldover portion of the sports pocket engaged over said waistband, and attaching means provided on said fold-over portion cooperatively engaging means at the inner side of said waistband to secure said fold-over portion, said attaching means on said fold-over portion comprising a self-adhering member secured on said fold-over portion and engaging the inner side of said waistband to secure the fold-over portion thereto.
 2. A sports pocket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said portion of the sports pocket overlying the exposed entrance surface of said existing pocket and said flap portion are of the same material and color as said garment.
 3. A sports pocket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sports pocket fitted inside an existing garment pocket is provided with a relatively small pocket at an inner side of the sports pocket.
 4. A sports pocket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said portion of the sports pocket overlying said exposed entrance surface and said flap portion verlying the outside free edge of the existing pocket are made from different material than said garment and of a different color therefrom.
 5. A sports pocket to fit inside an existing pocket of a garment having a waistband, said sports pocket having one portion thereof being disposed within the existing pocket of said garment, and a support portion extending upwardly and then folded over the waistband of said garment, said sports pocket also including a flap portion overlying the outside free edge of the existing pocket adapted to hang free over said outside free edge, thereby protecting said free edge and the outside surface of the existing pocket from wear and soil, and fastening means on the inner side of said waistband cooperating with fastening means on the folded over portion of the support portion of said sports pocket for detachably connecting the sports pocket to said garment and firmly holding it in place during use. 